Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor,
There are some things that people never tell you about college – they never tell you that it is a continuation of high school. Granted, the bullies are smarter and much more cunning. They don’t give you wedgies or play keep-away with your backpack. It is almost brilliant in the way that they choose to destroy you; they target your very character.
Everyone talks about people, but rarely do they think about the damage they are doing. Ok, so a reenactment of Stephen King’s “Carrie” may not be imminent, but who is to say that another Virginia Tech won’t happen? You don’t know how far you’re really pushing someone and you have no clue how or when they might snap. What started as a joke about someone having an STD 3 years ago, has become a wide spread rumor about them having Herpes. Sure, it doesn’t bother them. They’ll laugh, shrug it off, and try to ignore it. Maybe that rumor doesn’t hurt. Let’s face it, the most painful rumors aren’t made up.
“Did you see what she was wearing? What a whore!” “Oh man, look at those girls dancing. I think they’re lesbians.” “I heard she had to be carried out of the bar last night; I bet she’s an alcoholic.” “Did you hear that she has naked pictures online? It’s true!” The best rumors can’t be made up because they tend to be based off of some twisted form of reality. She might not be a whore or a lesbian, but she might be looking for attention. She might not be an alcoholic, but I bet she can’t hold her liquor. And the pictures online? I have nothing for that one.
People normally don’t realize the damage a few words can do; just like they usually don’t realize how badly they’re hurting themselves. As an age group, we think that we are invincible. To prove that, we tend to do everything in excess until something goes terribly wrong. Cancer, an STD, alcohol poisoning, rape – everyone has their reasons to stop, including myself.
We can’t control others and a lot of times we can barely control ourselves. We can’t pick who will take care of us when we drink too much any more than we can control what they’ll do while you’re passed out. You can’t control if your pot is laced with something, much less what you admit when you’re under the influence.
Who needs to create rumors when our reality is far more unbelievable? We are all in this together. You might not be the one passing her another shot or lacing his pot with speed, but you might be the friend that wishes that they had been there to prevent the unthinkable. Welcome back to high school where the bullies are smarter yet, instead of taking them down, we destroy each other and ourselves.
Sincerely,
Alexandria Drake
Sophomore
Liberal Studies
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Sep 6 2007. Filed under Letters to the Editor, Opinion.
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